Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near New Cumberland Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near New Cumberland PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of New Cumberland PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including New Cumberland PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in New Cumberland PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved New Cumberland PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the New Cumberland PA programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in New Cumberland PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several New Cumberland PA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any New Cumberland PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local New Cumberland PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the New Cumberland PA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near New Cumberland PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy College near New Cumberland PA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in New Cumberland PA.

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